Madrid sightseeing

The tour will begin and end in Madrid because it far easier to get direct flights to Madrid for most who will join this tour.

Our base in Madrid is the AC Carlton Madrid which is very convenient for the railway and bus station. There are rail and coach links to the airport to here. It is a good central base to explore Madrid.

The Botanical Gardens are just a stones throw away but don't throw any; there are too many glass houses! Madrid's town centre is equally close by. The Banco de Espania (pictured) is about 2km away.

Madrid, Segovia, Avila (250km circa 155 miles 4.5 hours riding)

We depart Madrid heading in a northerly direction and using main roads to escape the city. At Torrelodones we get off the highway and turn east to begin to ride some nice hilly roads that are twisty at times as we head towards Colmenar Viejo (look out for the helicopter at the roundabout!). We then turn North to Miraflores where we take a short refreshment break. From here we take a succession of twisty mountain roads to Segovia a UNESCO world heritage site largely because of the well preserved Roman Aqueduct and the many historic buildings including a fantasy palace that acted as inspiration for Walt Disney's Cinderella. After lunch we take a circuitous route to Avila "the town of stones and Saints" another UNESCO site. Part of the road we take will be single track very twisty and challenging at times. Avila is circled by a old town wall and within the walls you will discover an abundance of churches most in Gothic or Romanesque style. Our overnight stop is in a luxury four star hotel within a sixteenth century Palace site inside the walls of Avila.

Salamanca, Embalse de Almendra, Bemposta Dam, Miranda do Douro (275km 170 miles 4.5 hours riding)

Leaving Avila on one of the old Roman roads the runs straight as a die we travel about 15 miles before deviating course north of a nice twisty road to the village on Alaraz then onwards to Salamanca. The Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also contains archives from the Spanish Civil War. We take a refreshment break here and view some of the city sights. From Salamanca we head north west to the great reservoir Embalse de Almendra which hosts Spain's tallest Dam. After stopping for pictures we double back on our track (about 5km) to take an interesting backroad to the Portuguese border crossing another substantial dam on the Douro River at Bemposta. From here we hear up river in a north easterly direction to Miranda do Douro where we stop for the night in a 4 star hotel set on a hillside with panoramic views over the valley and Douro River.

Braganca, Chavas, Braga (300km 187 miles 5 hours riding)

From Mirador do Douro we head west to Braganca a town steeped in history with evidence of human occupation since Palaeolithic times. It was colonised by the Romans and in the medieval period the city prospered and was the seat of a Benedictine monastery although there was also Islamic influence in the area around that time. After a refreshment break in Braganca we ride some great twisty roads through the hills to Vinhas and onwards to reach Chaves another town with considerable Roman and Medieval history. Our journey continues west along more twisty roads all the way to Braga where we stop at a 4 star hotel located in a classical villa. Braga is one of the largest cities in Portugal. Braga had much influence in Medieval times when it was a primary centre for Christianity and was deeply influential in the recognition of Portugal as an independent country in 1179.

Guimaraes, Lousada, Lamego (160 km 100 miles 3.5 hours riding)

We head south from Braga to reach Guimaraes yet another UNESCO world heritage site. It was listed because it is an "exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town". We continue our journey on roads that snake their way through the Portuguese countryside further south to Lousada where the Diocese of Magnetum was first established in the year 569 on territory of the Kingdom of the Suebi in Galicia. Further south we reach the Anjo de Portugal monument; an angel that overlooks the convergence of Douro and Tamega rivers. From here we meander upstream crossing the river then continue along the southern shore on the Doura to a 17th Century Manor House nestling on the banks of the Douro.

This riverview property near Lamego will be our base for the next two nights.

Mateus, Sabrosa, Alijo (150 km 4 hours riding)

This will be a relaxing day. Some might want to take a rest from riding, others may want to explore the local Vineyards but for those taking a ride we begin by heading east to the Barragem de Ragua where we find the locks with the greatest rise on the Doura, from there we turn north to Casa de Mateus where there is much to see; a Palace, a Chapel, Ornate Gardens, wine production tour and much more. As we shall be riding we shall sadly miss out on the port and wine tasting but perhaps we can gather samples to drink later. We head east to Sabrosa where the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan was born and from there to Alijo parts of which are another UNESCO World Heritage Site because there are some Megalithic structures that remain intact and the landscape around Pinhao. As we head south we pass another property that I considered for us to stay at, Casa de Casaldeloivos, which has the most stunning views but sadly was unavailable. Fortunately there is a viewing platform nearby from where you can appreciate the view. We cross the river and meander along the southern shores of the Doura as we make our way back towards our hotel taking a circuitous route into Lamego.

Lamego to Ciudad Rodrigo (240km 150miles 4.5 hours riding)

We head east along the southern shore of the Doura taking a short break at the viewpoint Miradouro de Sao Salvador do Mundo where there is a small Chapel. We have to walk the last bit and I think you will find the view worth it. Later we reach another viewpoint with small Chapel at Quinta do Vale Meao which once again offers a dramatic viiew. We shall take a refreshment break at nearby Torre de Moncorvo (pictured right).

Our route progresses in a south easterly direction to cross the border to Spain then head south to Ciudad Rodrigo, a small Cathedral city, where we stop for the night in a medieval Castle, which is now a 4 star hotel. The castle was built by the medieval King Enrique II of Castile in 1372 and once held under a 10 day siege by the Duke of Wellington. It dominates the city.

Ciudad Rodrigo to Madrid (369 km 230 miles 6 hours riding)

For our final day we end on a bang by riding some of the best roads all the way back to Madrid. We begin by heading south to the walled market town of Plasencia there are many sights to see in the town including a Cathedral and the town Aqueduct.

We continue our journey east passing the Monastery San Jeronimo and onwards through the southern Sierra Gredos to Arenas de San Pedro and numerous villages before reaching Madrid.

We return to the AC Carleton close to Atocha Railway Station for a final night in Madrid before onward travel or homeward bound the following day.